How do I uninstall apps on a Mac?

Is your Mac stuffed with applications you barely use? Well, getting rid of them is a straightforward coffee-break process – here’s how to uninstall apps on a Mac.

In this article, we’ll run through two methods. The first involves heading to the Applications folder via Finder (which we’ll tackle first), but there’s another way of deleting apps that’s designed specifically for people who want to free up storage space.

How to uninstall apps on a Mac: Method 1

The first process is simplicity itself: click on the Finder icon (a smiling blue and white face, for some reason) in the Dock and then select Applications in the left-hand menu.

Once that’s open, peruse the list and locate the app you wish to bin. Right-click on it and select “Move to Trash”. And that’s it – job done. The application will be permanently deleted next time you empty the Trash.

How to uninstall apps on a Mac: Method 2

The second method is slightly more complicated, but it’s more satisfying and will give you a quick overview of how much storage you’re saving by uninstalling applications.

First, click on the Apple icon in the top-left of the screen and select About This Mac. In the window that appears, click the Storage tab and then the button labelled “Manage…”.

In the next window, pick Applications from the left-hand menu to reveal a long list of all of your installed applications, including the size of the file.

To uninstall the app, click on it and then hit the Delete button in the bottom-right of the window. As a precaution, you’ll be asked again if you want to permanently delete the app (this process bypasses the Trash) and you may even have to enter the system password to finish.